Sledge entertain at Manchester Fanzone
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In collaboration with their partners Beyond 90, Sledge produced the Rugby World Cup 2015 Manchester Fan Zone in Albert Square.
The three-day event (9th-11th of October) the 16 hours of sport attracted over 10,000 people a day with almost 18,000 pints of beer consumed.
Friday afternoon saw Rugby International Mark Cueto and 2003 rugby world cup winner Mike Tindall providing their views and insight on England’s performance and the upcoming games, interviewed on stage by Radio Five Live sports anchor Hugh Ferris.
In the early evening Eifion Lewis-Roberts and Josh Beaumont from Sale Sharks joined to preview the evenings rugby as well as Rugby International Henrie Fourie. To lead into the New Zealand vs Tonga game the audience were treated to a performance of the Traditional Haka, clarifying questions and explaining the traditional history behind what some call a field advantage.
Saturday was busy with a range of supporters all boasting their national shirts. Crowds enjoyed the RFU rugby games, the RWC2015 kicking simulator, Canterbury Rugby activation and the surprisingly balmy weather of central Manchester in October. Amongst the crowds the amazing rugby tricksters (the rugby version of the Harlem Globe Trotters) demonstrated their talents with a Rugby ball.
Tim Cocker (Radio presenter and rugby pundit), Sam Walker (BBC radio Manchester drive time presenter) and Hugh Ferris spent the afternoon reviewing games with Sales Sharks players Nick McCleod and Tom Arscott as well as rugby themed quiz’s with various RWC2015 stash.
By mid afternoon the fan one had reached its 10,000 capacity as spectators watched the Australia v Wales match . Crowds without a ticket to the Eithad stadium were entertained with the only live Karaoke band in the UK, Rockaoke. Getting people onstage to front their own rock band, various members of the audience took to the stage after the final whistle of England’s RWC2015 tournament.
Sunday morning started off another full day of Rugby coverage with Tim, Hugh and Sam entertaining the audience with giveaways around site. Sale Shark players Ross Harrison and Nev Evens joined the team in advance of the deciding game of pool D between France v Ireland for which fans teemed into the fanzone to watch.
This event is the culmination of a summer of sport sponsorship activations with a rugby focus for Sledge.
